Compromise may be in the works for restore the arches project
To the editor:
Compromise may have just been reached between Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc. and Lee County Manager.
Lee County District 2 Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass met late last week with stake holders and the county manager to discuss restoring Fort Myers Beach Arches. Lee County compromised offering us a 60-foot section of Crescent Beach Family Park to build what would roughly be a 60% replica of the historic Fort Myers Beach Arches. We will accept that compromise and will move forward working with the county to build a replica of the historic 1924 Tom Phillips Arches.
We would still like to discuss maybe an alternate location closer to the roadside of the park. Utilities and volleyball courts may prevent us from doing that Lee County officials said. We understand the 60% compromise was offered instead of a 100% replica of the Arch so that grand view of the beach from the sky bridge will not be lost/obstructed at all. Natural Beauty will never be replaced by history and we accept the very good compromise.
Over 90% of those polled so far like the idea. We would like to thank our small group of super volunteers that have made this a possibility and Lee County stakeholders. Special thanks needs to go to Cecil for his efforts. Now let’s get it fund it, via our non-profit “Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc.”
Steven Ray McDonald
President, Restore Fort Myers Beach Arches, Inc.